Footballer whose heart stopped beating saved by off-duty firefighter on opposing team

A footballer whose heart stopped beating during a match had his life saved by an off-duty firefighter - playing for his opponents.

Retained firefighter Michael Gaunt, 25, sprang into action when his sporting rival collapsed onto the pitch and went into cardiac arrest.

Michael, a builder during the day, gave him CPR for an entire 25 minutes until paramedics arrived at the local league game in Crawley in West Sussex.

The Forest Row player will be handed a special commendation by West Sussex Fire and Rescue Service for saving his Stones FC opponent's life.

Michael, who became an on call firefighter in 2012, performed his heroics last Saturday afternoon before paramedics took the casualty hospital where he is steadily recovering.